Publication date
11/1/09
Volume
30
Number
21
The WatchTower
"Them That Are Contentious"
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1909/21/1909-21-1.html
 
 
OCTOBER 
15, 
1909 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(319-323) 
Cresarea, 
and 
King 
Agrippa 
of 
Galilee 
did 
his 
respects 
by 
at­ 
tending, 
his 
wife 
Bernice 
accompanying 
him. 
As 
Agrippa 
and 
his 
wife 
professed 
the 
Hebrew 
faith, 
Festus, 
who 
had 
no 
knowl­ 
edge 
thereof, 
embraced 
the 
opportunity 
to 
have 
their 
assistance 
in 
formulating 
charges 
against 
St. 
Paul, 
whose 
crime, 
if 
any, 
could 
be 
understood 
from 
the 
Jewish 
standpoint. 
Hence 
be­ 
fore 
these 
and 
the 
chief 
captains 
of 
the 
military 
forces 
and 
the 
prominent 
citizens, 
the 
Apostle 
was 
called 
to 
give 
his 
ver­ 
sion 
of 
the 
enmity 
of 
his 
people 
against 
him. 
Thus 
a 
fresh 
opportunity 
for 
the 
preaching 
of 
the 
Gospel 
before 
people 
of 
prominence 
was 
afforded 
the 
Apostle. 
And 
his 
appeal 
to 
Cresar's 
Court 
would 
mean 
an 
introduction 
of 
himself 
and 
of 
the 
religion 
which 
he 
represented 
before 
the 
highest 
authority 
in 
the 
world. 
Thus 
does 
the 
Lord 
mysteri­ 
ously 
work 
the 
counsel 
of 
his 
own 
will 
and 
cause 
the 
wrath 
of 
men 
to 
praise 
him. 
And 
thus 
does 
he 
put 
before 
his 
faithful 
servants 
fresh 
opportunities 
to 
serve 
his 
cause. 
How 
much 
every 
faithful 
follower 
of 
Jesus 
should 
be 
encouraged 
by 
this 
to 
faithfulness, 
to 
singleness 
of 
heart, 
to 
the 
improvement 
of 
every 
opportunity, 
realizing 
the 
Lord's 
supervision 
of 
the 
work 
and 
of 
his 
service. 
As 
a 
true 
~entleman, 
St. 
Paul 
opened 
his 
speech 
before 
these 
earthly 
dIgnitaries 
by 
complimenting 
King 
Agrippa 
as 
much 
as 
he 
truthfully 
could--on 
the 
fact 
that 
he 
would 
be 
heard 
by 
one 
who 
was 
expert 
in 
all 
Jewish 
matters. 
He 
pointed 
to 
the 
fact 
that 
his 
course 
of 
life 
from 
youth 
was 
well 
known 
in 
Jerusalem 
and 
throughout 
the 
Jewish 
nation. 
Many 
of 
them 
could 
witness 
if 
they 
would 
to 
his 
strictness 
as 
a 
religionist. 
"And 
now," 
he 
declared, 
"I 
am 
standing 
on 
trial 
for 
my 
hope 
in 
the 
promise 
which 
God 
made 
unto 
our 
fathers 
-a 
promise 
which 
all 
Jews 
are 
hoping 
will 
have 
fulfilment. 
Nevertheless 
it 
is 
for 
this 
hope's 
sake 
that 
I 
am 
accused 
by 
the 
Jews." 
The 
hope 
of 
Israel 
centered 
in 
God's 
oath-bound 
Covenant 
to 
Abraham, 
"In 
thy 
Seed 
shall 
all 
the 
families 
of 
the 
earth 
be 
blessed." 
St. 
Paul 
was 
preaching 
that 
this 
prom­ 
ise 
was 
in 
process 
of 
fulfilment 
j 
that 
J 
eSlls, 
as 
the 
Son 
of 
God, 
by 
obedience 
to 
the 
law 
and 
by 
his 
sacrifice 
of 
his 
earthly 
rights, 
had 
become 
the 
Head 
of 
this 
promised 
Seed 
of 
Abraham 
by 
his 
resurre~tion 
to 
the 
plane 
of 
spirit 
glory, 
honor 
and 
immortality. 
He 
was 
teaching 
that 
since 
Pentecost 
the 
Lord 
was 
selecting 
both 
from 
Jews 
and 
Gentiles 
a 
"little 
flock," 
to 
be 
Messiah's 
bride 
and 
joint-heir, 
members 
of 
the 
Spiritual 
Seed 
of 
Abraham 
j 
and 
that 
when 
this 
selection 
shall 
have 
been 
accomplished, 
the 
great 
Messiah, 
Head 
and 
mem­ 
bers, 
in 
glory 
will 
set 
up 
the 
long-promised 
kingdom 
of 
God. 
Its 
blessing 
will 
come 
first 
to 
natural 
Israel 
for 
their 
restitu­ 
tional 
uplifting, 
and 
subsequently 
will 
extend 
through 
Israel 
to 
"all 
the 
families 
of 
the 
earth." 
Surely 
St. 
Paul 
pointed 
to 
the 
prophecies 
which 
tell 
of 
the 
sufferings 
of 
Messiah 
and 
of 
the 
glories 
that 
will 
follow. 
The 
Jews 
all 
knew 
of 
the 
sufferings 
of 
Jesus 
and 
the 
sufferings 
of 
his 
followers, 
but 
they 
disputed 
his 
resurrection 
to 
glory 
and 
that 
his 
followers 
would 
by 
and 
by 
share 
his 
resurrection 
change. 
The 
whole 
dispute 
between 
himself 
and 
the 
Jews 
was 
in 
respect 
to 
whether 
or 
not 
Jesus 
arose 
from 
the 
dead. 
If 
he 
did 
not 
arise 
the 
Jews 
were 
right. 
No 
valid 
hopes 
could 
he 
built 
upon 
a 
dead 
man, 
however 
good 
he 
might 
have 
been. 
If 
he 
arose, 
St. 
Paul 
and 
the 
followers 
of 
Jesus 
were 
right, 
because 
his 
resurrection 
to 
glory 
should 
be 
considered 
a 
dem­ 
onstration 
of 
divine 
approval 
and 
of 
the 
Messiahship 
which 
he 
claimed 
and 
of 
his 
kingdom 
to 
come 
in 
due 
time. 
He 
explained 
how 
once 
he 
also 
had 
opposed 
Jesus 
and 
per­ 
secuted 
his 
followers, 
shutting 
them 
up 
in 
prison 
and 
giving 
his 
vote 
with 
others 
for 
their 
death. 
He 
had 
compelled 
them 
to 
blaspheme 
Jesus 
to 
escape 
sufferings 
and 
in 
his 
madness 
had 
extended 
his 
energies 
from 
Jerusalem 
to 
outside 
cities. 
He 
explained 
the 
revelation 
of 
the 
Lord, 
given 
him 
near 
Damas­ 
cus-the 
light 
above 
the 
brightness 
of 
the 
sun, 
and 
the 
voice 
saying, 
"Saul, 
Saul, 
why 
persecutest 
thou 
mef" 
"I 
am 
Jesus 
whom 
thou 
persecutest." 
He 
explained 
the 
commission 
he 
then 
received, 
that 
he 
was 
to 
preach 
to 
the 
Gentiles 
as 
well 
as 
to 
the 
Jews, 
the 
resurrection 
of 
Jesus, 
the 
gathering 
of 
his 
elect 
members 
and 
in 
due 
time 
the 
establishment 
of 
his 
kingdom; 
and 
that 
all 
should 
repent 
and 
turn 
to 
God. 
It 
was 
for 
these 
things 
that 
he 
was 
in 
bondage 
and 
his 
life 
in 
jeopardy 
until 
he 
was 
obliged 
to 
appeal 
to 
Cresar's 
tribunal. 
He 
pOInt~d 
out 
that 
the 
sufferings 
of 
Christ 
hRd 
been 
foretold 
by 
the 
prophets 
and 
that 
Jesus 
acknowledged 
persecutions 
of 
his 
followers 
as 
being 
of 
himself-his 
members. 
"THOU 
ART 
BESIDE 
THYSELF" 
The 
governor 
heard 
with 
amazement 
the 
recital 
and, 
inter­ 
rupting, 
then 
said, 
"Thou 
art 
beside 
thyself. 
Much 
learning 
doth 
make 
thee 
mad." 
But 
St. 
Paul 
replied, 
"I 
am 
not 
mad, 
most 
noble 
Festus; 
but 
speak 
forth 
the 
words 
of 
truth 
and 
soberness: 
King 
Agrippa 
knoweth 
of 
these 
things." 
Thus 
it 
is 
still. 
From 
the 
worldly 
standpoint 
the 
true 
follower 
of 
Jesus 
is 
branded 
a 
fanatic, 
a 
fool, 
unbalanced. 
But 
from 
the 
Chris­ 
tian's 
standpoint 
the 
view 
is 
reversed-the 
worldly 
are 
unwise 
and 
money-mad. 
The 
worldly 
see 
merely 
the 
earthly 
things, 
the 
transitory. 
The 
Christian 
sees 
with 
the 
eye 
of 
faith 
glory, 
honor 
and 
immortality 
and 
a 
share 
with 
the 
Redeemer 
in 
the 
privileges 
of 
the 
Millennial 
kingdom, 
which 
is 
shortly 
to 
bless 
the 
world 
with 
a 
reign 
of 
righteousness, 
in 
fulfilment 
of 
the 
Lord's 
prayer. 
"Thy 
kingdom 
come. 
Thy 
will 
be 
done 
on 
earth 
as 
it 
is 
done 
in 
heaven." 
St. 
Paul 
appealed 
to 
Agrippa: 
Did 
he 
not 
believe 
the 
prophecies 
cited' 
The 
reply 
of 
the 
king 
is 
a 
matter 
of 
dis­ 
pute-whether 
he 
said, 
"With 
a 
little 
more 
time 
and 
eloquence 
you 
might 
persuade 
me 
to 
be 
a 
Christian," 
or 
whether 
he 
said, 
"Do 
you 
think 
that 
in 
so 
brief 
an 
argument 
you 
could 
make 
of 
me 
a 
Christian, 
with 
all 
that 
that 
word 
means 
of 
discredit 
f" 
St. 
Paul's 
reply 
favors 
the 
former 
interpretation: 
"I 
would 
to 
God 
that 
not 
only 
thou, 
but 
also 
all 
that 
hear 
me 
this 
day, 
were 
both 
almost, 
and 
altogether 
such 
as 
I 
am, 
except 
these 
bonds." 
A 
nobler 
sentiment, 
a 
broader 
spirit 
of 
charity, 
in 
a 
prisoner, 
falsely 
accused 
and 
unjustly 
restrained, 
cannot 
be 
imagined. 
Only 
those 
who 
have 
been 
with 
Jesus 
and 
learned 
of 
him 
could 
thus 
exemplify 
the 
sympathy 
and 
moderation 
which 
he 
taught. 
Oh, 
that 
all 
of 
Christ's 
disciples 
might 
learn 
also 
to 
be 
meek 
and 
lowly 
of 
heart 
and 
find 
rest 
to 
their 
souls, 
for 
who 
can 
doubt 
that 
81. 
Paul, 
the 
prisoner, 
WIth 
his 
glorious 
hopes, 
was 
happier 
every 
way 
than 
any 
of 
those 
who 
heard 
him 
f 
VOL. 
XXX 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y., 
NOVEMBER 
1, 
1909 
No. 
21 
"THEM 
THAT 
ARE 
CONTENTIOUS" 
"God 
will 
render 
to 
every 
tnan 
accort1litng 
to 
1148 
deeds; 
to 
them 
who 
by 
patient 
continuance 
in 
welTrdoing 
8eek 
for 
glory 
and 
honor, 
am4 
immortality, 
eternal 
life; 
but 
unto 
them 
that 
are 
contentious 
and 
do 
not 
obey 
the 
truth, 
but 
obey 
unrighteousne88, 
indignation, 
and 
tM"ath." 
The 
Apostle's 
words 
foregoing 
are 
applicable 
in 
some 
degree 
perseveringly 
cultivating 
and 
developing 
in 
ourselves 
the 
to 
everybody, 
but 
they 
are 
especially 
addressed 
to 
and 
applica- 
character-likeness 
of 
our 
Redeemer. 
(Rom. 
8:29) 
Various 
hIe 
to 
the 
church. 
In 
a 
general 
sense, 
those 
who 
are 
seekIng 
opportunities 
for 
serving 
the 
Lord 
are 
set 
before 
us, 
and 
the 
higher 
and 
better 
things 
along 
th~ 
~ines 
?f 
loving 
ob~d.ience 
these 
are 
blessed 
privileges. 
but 
we 
may 
rely 
upon 
it 
that 
to 
whatever 
they 
may 
know 
of 
the 
dn:me 
WIll, 
are 
reCeIVIng 
a 
the 
Divine 
purpose 
and 
intention 
in 
permitting 
such 
services 
blessmg 
day 
by 
day, 
even 
though 
theIr 
pathway 
be 
a 
narrow 
is 
for 
our 
own 
development 
in 
Christian 
character. 
The 
com. 
and 
difficu~t 
on.e.. 
On 
the 
con~rary,. 
tho~e 
who 
are. 
of 
l1; 
con- 
mand 
to 
all 
men 
is, 
to 
honor 
God 
supremely, 
and 
to 
deal 
tentious 
. 
dISposItIOn,. 
fault-findIng, 
IraSCIble, 
the 
dIssatIsfied, 
justly 
with 
our 
fellows, 
treating 
them 
as 
we 
would 
be 
treated 
are 
contInually 
makI~g 
~rouble 
!or 
t~~mselve~ 
as 
w.ell 
as 
,for 
by 
them, 
loving 
them 
as 
ourselves; 
but 
the 
special 
command 
others, 
and 
a.re 
CUltIvatIng. 
a 
dIsposItIOn 
WhICh 
neIthe~ 
Go~ 
to 
the 
new 
creation 
is, 
to 
lovE' 
one 
another 
as 
our 
Elder 
nor 
anybody 
In 
harmony 
WIth 
God, 
could 
approve--a 
~ISpO.SI- 
Brother 
loved 
us-self-sacrificingly 
Whatever 
we 
are 
per­ 
tion 
which 
will 
not 
be 
rewarded 
by 
eternal. 
life, 
but 
brIng 
Its 
mitted 
to 
do 
one 
for 
the 
other 
is 
in 
the 
nature 
of 
a 
test 
of 
po.ssessor 
in~o 
~ore 
or 
less 
trouble 
contmually, 
and 
spell 
our 
loyalty 
to 
God 
of 
our 
justice 
toward 
the 
world 
or 
of 
our 
faIlure 
for 
hIm 
In 
the 
end. 
I 
' 
d 
t· 
t 
' 
th 
b 
th 
' 
But 
our 
subject 
shines 
out 
most 
distinctly 
when 
we 
apply 
OVIng 
ev.o 
Ion 
0 
e 
re 
reno 
it 
as 
the 
Apostle 
here 
does, 
to 
God's 
consecrated 
people. 
80me, 
F~llowI!!g 
the 
exa~ple 
of 
our 
Lord, 
we 
(~r.e 
to 
lay 
do"'.n 
a 
decided 
minority, 
we 
fear, 
are 
patiently, 
perseveringly, 
our 
hves 
In 
the 
ser':ICe 
of 
the 
brethren. 
I~ls 
command 
IS 
seeking 
for 
God's 
best 
and 
grandest 
gift-joint-heirship 
with 
not 
so 
r,nuch 
for 
theIr 
need 
of 
our 
self-saCrIfice 
as 
for 
our 
the 
Redeemer 
in 
his 
kingdom 
of 
glory, 
and 
participation 
in 
need 
of 
It, 
as 
a 
development 
of 
our 
love 
and 
as 
a 
test 
of 
our 
his 
golorious, 
divine 
nature. 
There 
is 
only 
one 
way 
to 
seek 
love. 
As 
the 
Apostle 
says, 
"We 
ought 
also 
to 
lay 
down 
our 
for 
this 
great 
prize 
successfully, 
and 
that 
is 
by 
patiently 
and 
lives 
for 
the 
brethren." 
[4501] 
Ocroser 15, 1909 Cesarea, and King Agrippa of Galilee did his respects by attending, his wife Bernice accompanying him. As Agrippa and his wife professed the Hebrew faith, Festus, who had no know]ledge thereof, embraced the opportunity to have their assistance in formulating charges against St. Paul, whose crime, if any, could be understood from the Jewish standpoint. Hence before these and the chief captains of the military forces and the prominent citizens, the Apostle was called to give his version of the enmity of his people against him. Thus a fresh opportunity for the preaching of the Gospel before people of prominence was afforded the Apostle. And his appeal to Cesar’s Court would mean an introduction of himself and of the religion which he represented before the highest authority in the world. Thus does the Lord mysteriously work the counsel of his own will and cause the wrath of men to praise him. And thus does he put before his faithful servants fresh opportunities to serve his cause. How much every faithful follower of Jesus should be encouraged by this to faithfulness, to singleness of heart, to the improvement of every opportunity, realizing the Lord’s supervision of the work and of his service. As a true gentleman, St. Paul opened his speech before these earthly dignitaries by complimenting King Agrippa as much as he truthfully could—on the fact that he would be heard by one who was expert in all Jewish matters. He pointed to the fact that his course of life from youth was well known in Jerusalem and throughout the Jewish nation. Many of them could witness if they would to his strictness as a religionist. “And now,” he declared, “I am standing on trial for my hope in the promise which God made unto our fathers —a promise which all Jews are hoping will have fulfilment. Nevertheless it is for this hope’s sake that I am accused by the Jews.” The hope of Israel] centered in God’s oath-bound Covenant to Abraham, “In thy Seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” St. Paul was preaching that this promise was in process of fulfilment; that Jesus, as the Son of God, by obedience to the Jaw and by his sacrifice of his earthly rights, had become the Head of this promised Seed of Abraham by his resurrection to the plane of spirit glory, honor and immortality. He was teaching that since Pentecost the Lord was selecting both from Jews and Gentiles a “little flock,” to be Messiah’s bride and joint-heir, members of the Spiritual Seed of Abraham; and that when this selection shall have been accomplished, the great Messiah, Head and members, in glory will set up the long-promised kingdom of God. Its blessing will come first to natural Israel for their restitutional uplifting, and subsequently will extend through Israel to “all the families of the earth.” Surely St. Paul pointed to the prophecies which tell of the sufferings of Messiah and of the glories that will follow. The Jews all knew of the sufferings of Jesus and the sufferings of his followers, but they disputed his resurrection to glory and that his followers would by and by share his resurrection change. The whole dispute between himself and the Jews was in respect to whether or not Jesus arose from the dead. If he did not arise the Jews were right. No valid hopes could he built upon a dead man, however good he might have been. THE WATCH TOWER (319-323) If he arose, St. Paul and the followers of Jesus were right, because his resurrection to glory should be considered a demoustration of divine approval and of the Messiahship which he claimed and of his kingdom to come in due time. He explained how once he also had opposed Jesus and persecuted his followers, shutting them up in prison and giving his vote with others for their death. He had compelled them to blaspheme Jesus to escape sufferings and in his madness had extended his energies from Jerusalem to outside cities. He explained the revelation of the Lord, given him near Damaseus—the light above the brightness of the sun, and the voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” He explained the commission he then received, that he was to preach to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews, the resurrection of Jesus, the gathering of his elect members and in due time the establishment of his kingdom; and that all should repent and turn to God. It was for these things that he was in bondage and his life in jeopardy, until he was obliged to appeal to Cesar’s tribunal. He pointed out that the sufferings of Christ had been foretold by the prophets and that Jesus acknowledged persecutions of his followers as being of himself—his members. “THOU ART BESIDE THYSELF’’ The governor heard with amazement the recital and, interrupting, then said, “Thou art beside thyself. Much learning doth make thee mad.” But St. Paul replied, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness: King Agrippa knoweth of these things.” Thus it is still. From the worldly standpoint the true follower of Jesus is branded a fanatic, a fool, unbalanced. But from the Christian’s standpoint the view is reversed—the worldly are unwise and money-mad. The worldly see merely the earthly things, the transitory. The Christian sees with the eye of faith glory, honor and immortality and a share with the Redeemer in the privileges of the Millennial kingdom, which is shortly to bless the world with a reign of righteousness, in fulfilment of the Lord’s prayer. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” St. Paul appealed to Agrippa: Did he not believe the prophecies cited? The reply of the king is a matter of dispute—whether he said, “With a little more time and eloquence you might persuade me to be a Christian,” or whether he said, “Do you think that in so brief an argument you could make of me a Christian, with all that that word means of discredit?” St. Paul’s reply favors the former interpretation: “I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” A nobler sentiment, a broader spirit of charity, in a prisoner, falsely accused and unjustly restrained, cannot be imagined. Only those who have been with Jesus and learned of him could thus exemplify the sympathy and moderation which he taught. Oh, that all of Christ’s disciples might learn also to be meek and lowly of heart and find rest to their souls, for who can doubt that St. Paul, the prisoner, with his glorious hopes, was happier every way than any of those who heard him? Vo~t. XXX BROOKLYN, N. Y., NOVEMBER 1, 1909 No. 21 “THEM THAT ARE CONTENTIOUS” “God will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor, and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath.” The Apostle’s words foregoing are applicable in some degree to everybody, but they are especially addressed to and applicable to the church. In a general sense, those who are seeking the higher and better things along the lines of loving obedience to whatever they may know of the divine will, are receiving a blessing day by day, even though their pathway be a narrow and difficult one. On the contrary, those who are of a contentious disposition, fault-finding, irascible, the dissatisfied, are continually making trouble for themselves as well as for others, and are cultivating a disposition which neither God nor anybody in harmony with God, could approve—a disposition which will not be rewarded by eternal life, but bring its possessor into more or less trouble continually, and spell failure for him in the end. But our subject shines out most distinctly when we apply it as the Apostle here does, to God’s consecrated people. Some, a decided minority, we fear, are patiently, perseveringly, seeking for God’s best and grandest gift—joint-heirship with the Redeemer in his kingdom of glory, and participation in his glorious, divine nature. There is only one way to seek for this great prize successfully, and that is by patiently and perseveringly cultivating and developing in ourselves the character-likeness of our Redeemer. (Rom. 8:29) Various opportunities for serving the Lord are set before us, and these are blessed privileges, but we may rely upon it that the Divine purpose and intention in permitting such services is for our own development in Christian character, The command to all men is, to honor God supremely, and to deal justly with our fellows, treating them as we would be treated by them, loving them as ourselves; but the special command to the new creation is, to love one another as our Elder Brother loved us—self-sacrificingly. Whatever we are permitted to do one for the other is in the nature of a test of our loyalty to God, of our justice toward the world, or of our loving devotion to the brethren. Following the example of our Lord, we are to lay down our lives in the service of the brethren. ‘This command is not so much for their need of our self-sacrifice as for our need of it, as a development of our love and as a test of our love. As the Apostle says, ‘““We ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren.” [4501]

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